Eleanor

by Rachel Wesson

  “I couldn’t do that. I can’t go chasing a man?”

  “Why? Because of what your grandmama might say? I thought you was an educated woman. If your grandmama thinks it is all right to throw your family out on the street then her opinion ain’t worth nothin’.”

  “Wilma’s right. You have to explain to Gary. At least give him the real reason you turned him down. He is so miserable right now,” Martha added. “Murph complained he had to drink at home as Gary was turning the whiskey sour.”

  The others laughed while Eleanor stared silently at Wilma. The older woman touched her on the arm.

  “What you thinking about?” Wilma asked her softly.

  “I wonder is it possible to find out what happened to my mama? What if she isn’t dead like they said. Maybe I have a family out there somewhere.”

  Wilma held her hand tight. “I just happen to know some people who can help, but Jane knows them much better. Why don’t the rest of us carry on with our business, and Jane can take you upstairs and tell you about her grandma and the work she did to reunite ex-slaves. You two is about the same age. Ellen has to go home to Jake, I want my bed, and I guess Martha has work she could be doing.”

  Eleanor would have smiled at the look on Martha’s face if it was any other time. The older woman clearly wanted to hear Jane’s story, too, but a look from Wilma convinced her she should leave Jane and her alone. Jane followed her upstairs and together they took off the ball gown. Jane told Eleanor stories about her gran and the slaves she had reunited. Obviously, not all the stories had happy endings but some of them did. One thing Jane warned Eleanor about was the fact her family, if she did find them, may not be too accepting of her.

  “Some of our people can’t abide white people, no matter what age they are or who their parents was,” Jane sighed. “Racism grows on both sides of the fence and you is caught right bang in the middle.”

  Chapter 37

  Wilma took her time walking to the school, enjoying the winter sunlight. She hadn’t slept well, her mind turning over Eleanor’s story. In her dreams, Eleanor had become Solace even though it was impossible. Eleanor was too young for a start. She wondered about Eleanor’s father’s motives for taking the child back to Britain. Perhaps he believed her fair skin would protect her. Looking at her, you wouldn’t imagine her heritage. When she stood next to Ellen, there were some similarities and some differences. They shared the same jet-black hair but where Ellen had pale, sallow skin, Eleanor’s had more of a honey color, as if she had spent time sunbathing. Wilma didn’t know much about the aristocracy in Britain, but she knew the ladies of the Southern plantations had abhorred sunbathing. The paler one’s skin the better. Eleanor’s eyes were the color of dark wood but again unless you were looking for signs of race, you wouldn’t comment on them.

  She hoped the girl would take their advice and put her past behind her. Gary Barrett was a pleasant, intelligent young man with a kind heart. He’d shown what he was made of by refusing to work for Dickinson. He’d been run out of town but he’d come back as soon as he could, and his testimony helped convict Dickinson. She liked Gary and thought he would be a good match for Eleanor.

  Wilma smiled as she saw the children climbing the steps as they returned to school following lunch. Walking quicker, she tried to catch up with the last of them. She didn’t want to be late. She enjoyed working at the school and she learned something new every day. It reminded her of the lessons her mama had given her back when she was a child. It always happened late at night because the master had strictly forbidden his slaves to learn to read. Mama had insisted on teaching her saying it was the only true route to freedom and was worth any cost. Had it been, really? The master had discovered what Mama was doing. Instead of killing her, he had caused her more pain by selling her daughter and grandchild. If it weren’t for Mama teaching slaves to read, Wilma might never have been on the auction block with Solace. She would not have caused Zack to be enslaved. They wouldn’t have been sold to the new master and she might not have met the captain.

  “Miss Wilma, you came to school again. I love when you are here.”

  “Thank you, petal, I love being with you too, Rosa.”

  Wilma concentrated on the child, she was the future. The past needed to stay where it belonged.

  “Afternoon, children, thank you for all coming back so promptly after lunch. Miss Wilma is here to help me again today.”

  “Thank you, Miss Eleanor, I am really looking forward to being with you all,” Wilma said as she walked through the classroom. She picked up John’s slate. “I love math.” The children giggled as she made a funny face. It was common knowledge Wilma preferred just about anything to math.

  Just then Gary arrived in the door. “Sorry for interrupting you all. Wilma, there is a very distinguished gentleman sitting in the orphanage waiting for you.”

  “Me? Who is it?” Wilma asked as she handed the slate back to young John.

  “He says his name is Jackman. Says you would know who he was.”

  “Typical man. How’s I meant to know who he is when I is never heard of no Mr. Jackman? Gary, what he look like?”

  “Wilma, don’t take your temper out on me. I was told to pass on a message and that’s all I am doing.”

  “Sorry, Gary. I didn’t mean to take your head off only I don’t like strangers askin’ for me. It usually means trouble.”

  “I don’t know this man but he don’t look like trouble,” Gary responded carefully. “Why don’t you go and see?”

  “I will, after school ends. I can’t leave Eleanor here on her own.”

  “I can help Miss Templeton,” Gary responded as Eleanor said, “I am fine, Wilma. Please go and see your visitor.”

  “Think you should go, Miss Wilma. Gary and Miss Eleanor might want some time on their own,” Rosa piped up. “They are good friends most of the time, although they fight a bit.”

  The class laughed as both Gary and Eleanor turned red. Wilma smiled and patted Rosa on the head.

  “I guess I got to go then. Rosa, I will see you later.”

  Chapter 38

  Wilma walked slowly toward the orphanage. Who could the man be? Someone who had followed her from Boston? No, they wouldn’t come into the orphanage and ask for her by name. The type she’d known would skulk around.

  She met Mrs. Grey coming out of the store.

  “Wilma, what’s wrong? Where’s your usual smile?”

  “There be someone waitin’ for me in the kitchen. A man.”

  “So? Why are you looking scared? What’s he said?”

  “Nothin’ as far as I know. Gary Barrett said he seemed a nice man. But what does he want with me?”

  “Will I come with you?”

  “Would you? I know I is being silly but…”

  “I’m coming. I need a coffee and anyway the curiosity will kill me.” Mrs. Grey smiled as she took Wilma’s arm and the two of them made their way to the orphanage in silence.

  Wilma pushed the door open slowly as if expecting to get bit. Sitting at the table was Zack. He looked so different, he was wearing a suit. Like a real gentleman. Wilma looked to Mrs. Grey but she was staring at Zack too, her mouth open.

  “Miss Wilma, there you are. I am real sorry to intrude on you this way. I meant to send a telegram but I thought it better to just turn up.”

  “You are very welcome to my home, Zack. You know my friend Mrs. Grey and I guess you and Samuel have got acquainted.” Wilma was dying to ask just how well they had got on and, more importantly, what they talked about but she couldn’t do that.

  “Zack, it was lovely speaking to you. I have to get outside and do my chores now or Wilma will have words with me. I will walk you to the boarding house later,” Samuel said before limping toward the door heading for the garden. “You coming, Mrs. Grey?”

  “No, she’s staying for coffee,” Wilma answered on behalf of Mrs. Grey. She didn’t want to be alone with Zack. She wasn’t afraid of him, instinctively she knew he
wouldn’t hurt her, not on purpose. But she had ruined the man’s life.

  He must hold it against her.

  “Wilma, Zack may wish to speak to you in private. I will go home. See you later.”

  “NO!”

  “Mrs. Grey, please sit down. It might be good for Wilma to have a friend with her. I have some news, not all of it is good.” Zack’s concern caused them all to stare at him.

  Wilma slumped into the chair. Samuel looked strained as if unsure whether he should stay or go. Mrs. Grey put down her bag and started making some coffee.

  “Mr. Samuel, it might be best if you left us alone. I am not sure how much Wilma wishes her friends to know but I will leave that to her to decide.”

  “Yes, of course. I am out back if you need me. Lock the door and then the children will have to use the other entrance.”

  “Thank you.”

  Wilma still couldn’t say anything. She listened to them talking but it was hard to hear what they were saying over the roar of her heart beating. She tried taking some deep breathes. He had news—some good and some bad. She wanted the bad news first.

  “Tell me.”

  “I think we should wait until Mrs. Grey sits down.” Zack took Wilma’s hand in his. “You must be brave. I know you are a strong woman.”

  “I ain’t. Not anymore.”

  “Yes, you are. As strong as you were all those years ago in that cage. I can see it in you.” He spoke so softly only she could hear him. She looked up amazed to see admiration in his eyes. “You are the woman I have dreamed of. I thought I would never find you.”

  Dreamed of? Find? What on earth was he talking about? She had only met him that one time when she’d ruined him. She could feel the heat bearing down on them as they sat in the cage for two or was it three days. Zack had sat with her and Solace, his presence helping to protect them from the attention of some young males. They had shared their stories, and it had helped pass the time. Zack had told her of his plans to take over his parent’s business, although he had admitted he may go up North when the war was over.

  “Drink this, Wilma. It will help a little.” Mrs. Grey handed Wilma a full cup. She then gave Zack one and took a seat, her cup in front of her.

  “Tell me, please. The bad news? Is Solace dead?”

  “Yes, she is. I’m sorry. She died a year ago.”

  “Only last year. Why didn’t I start looking for her sooner? I could have been there. I could have helped her. Why?” Wilma kept asking, tears running down her face.

  “I don’t think you would have found her, Wilma, and in many ways, it is better you didn’t. She was living as a white woman.”

  “A white woman? But…Why?”

  “I don’t have all the answers to that. Her friend Andrew was killed when they tried to escape. Someone found Solace and offered her shelter. She joined their family and in time married one of their relations. I gather she never told them she was a runaway slave. They assumed she be white. She told them she’d been separated by her family by the war.”

  “As so many were,” Mrs. Grey added.

  “Was she happy? Please tell me my little girl was happy?” Wilma begged him.

  He didn’t say anything for a minute and then he looked at her.

  “She wasn’t, was she?”

  “She was, I believe for some time. But then she had a family. Twin girls.”

  “I am a grandma. A real one.”

  She looked at Mrs. Grey but her friend’s eyes were glued to Zack's, her face white as snow.

  “What? Why are you looking at him like that?” Wilma asked Mrs. Grey. Her answer was to take Wilma’s hand and squeeze it.

  “Tell me,” Wilma demanded.

  “I guess there was something wrong with the babies,” Mrs. Grey said in a very shaky voice.

  “Wrong? They died? Oh, my poor baby.”

  Zack cleared his throat. “There was in the eyes of Solace’s husband. One baby was born white but the other—”

  “Was born black,” Mrs. Grey interrupted.

  “Yes. Solace’s husband accused her of having an affair with a local black man. The rest of the story is not pleasant.”

  “Tell me,” Wilma ordered, holding onto Mrs. Grey’s hand for dear life.

  “Solace tried to tell her husband the truth, but he wouldn’t listen. Instead, he and a group of his friends dragged the man he suspected of being unfaithful with his wife away from his home and family and killed him. Then he turned his anger on the baby. He would have killed her, too, if Solace hadn’t stopped him. Solace’s mother-in-law, suspecting Solace was telling the truth, grabbed the child and ran. Solace was left alone with her husband. He beat her. Badly. She never regained the use of her legs after the attack. He threw her out along with both children.”

  When he stopped talking the only sound in the kitchen was Mrs. Grey sobbing quietly. Wilma couldn’t cry. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  “How do you know all this?”

  “I lived quite near Solace. I didn’t realize it until the community started talking. Of course, people preferred to think she had an affair rather than duped them. I went to speak to her. I brought her back to where I lived and we looked after her. She didn’t speak much. Would never talk about the past.”

  “So how do you know this woman was my daughter?” Wilma demanded. ‘There is a chance you are mistaken and Solace is alive out there somewhere.”

  “I am sorry, but there isn’t. She told my wife the whole story just before she died. She wanted her to take the children.”

  “Did she?”

  His face turned hard, a look of disgust in his eyes.

  “My wife didn’t want a white child. She said she would take one of them.”

  “After everything my poor Solace had been through?”

  “Yes, my wife or should I say ex-wife still carries a lot of anger. All of it is directed at white people even innocent young children. She doesn’t care the baby is deemed black due to her parentage.”

  “So where are the children?” Mrs. Grey asked as Wilma was trying to make sense of the loss of her child.

  “They live at the orphanage with Reverend Douglass.”

  Wilma turned on him. “You mean I had family there all the time and you didn’t tell me. Was this your revenge. In return for my ruining your life?”

  “Wilma, I have no idea what you are talking about. You never ruined my life. As for the children, I didn’t know the story. When you told of your search, I remembered the girl. She said her name was Sarah. I knew her to be about the right age. I went to see my ex-wife to find out more. It was only then I found out the truth. I went back to the orphanage to check the children haven’t been adopted.”

  “Were they?”

  “That is the good news and reason for my visit. They are still in the orphanage. I assume you want to collect them and bring them home.”

  Wilma couldn’t speak. She could barely think. She stared at him.

  “I would have brought them but I thought it was too much for you to take in. And the children…they have been through so much already. I didn’t want them disappointed again.”

  “How would they be?” Wilma demanded. Could he really believe she wouldn’t want her baby’s children? They were her flesh and blood. Her family.

  “Well, if you said no or if you decided to only have one.”

  Wilma stood up so fast the chair fell backwards. “Are you saying you thought I might turn them away? Or not take one because she looks white? Is that what you is saying?”

  “Wilma, calm down. Your heart…” Mrs. Grey interjected.

  “My heart be fine. I want my grandchildren. Both of them! Do you hear me? I want them with me. They is my family,” Wilma screamed.

  Chapter 39

  Eleanor looked at Gary under her eyelashes. He was helping John figure out his math. He was so patient taking his time to explain the problem slowly. He glanced up catching her staring at him, the look he gave her making her ins
ides melt. Their gazes caught for a couple of seconds before he turned his attention back to the child.

  It seemed to take forever before it was time to release the children from school. She almost gave into temptation to let them go early but that would only cause talk. She paced up and down the aisles picking up and cleaning the same slates.

  “Miss Eleanor, that’s the third time you cleaned my slate. You is like a buzzy bee today.”

  The other children laughed at Sarah’s comments but Eleanor barely registered it. She kept glancing at the clock and as soon as it was time, rang the bell. The noise of the children pushing back their seats and filing out of the room seemed to be happening in the distance as her gaze was centered on Gary. Soon they would be alone together for the first time since he proposed.

  She fidgeted with her hands, wiping them on her skirt before fidgeting all over again. Part of her wanted to make an excuse and follow the children, the other part knew she should stay. Wilma and the other ladies had been right. She did love him and she owed him a chance to make his choice. He was a good, kind, decent man and they didn’t grow on trees.

  “Eleanor, stop fidgeting, you are making me nervous. I won’t propose again if that’s what you are worried about.” Although he smiled, his eyes reminded her of a dog back home in England. He had been mistreated by his owner but still followed him everywhere in the hope it would turn out good. It never did.

  “Gary, sit down, please. I need to speak to you.”

  Gary took a seat at one of the children’s desks but he looked so silly, a grown man trying to fit into the small place, she giggled. Then she stopped. How could she laugh at a time like this?

  “Maybe we should stand?” he suggested.

  He came closer to her, she took a step back and another but he kept coming. Soon, her back was against the wall and there was nowhere for her to go.